OPINION: From Locatelli to José Mauri: AC Milan should have more faith in youth players
On the other hand, José Mauri, who joined AC Milan from Parma last summer, has only played five minutes in Serie A and 214 in Coppa Italia games despite being considered one of the finest midfielders of Serie A’s top-flight when he moved to the San Siro less than 12 months ago.
As we previously mentioned, Montolivo is not 100% fit, but will still start the San Siro clash against Juve. It would have been great to see Mihajlovic promoting another Primavera youngster after Gigi Donnarumma in such an important game.
Italian clubs are the only ones in Europe to be scared of promoting youth players to a senior level. Everyone keeps making excuses talking about ‘lack of maturity, experience and personality’, when those quality players outside the Bel Paese are deployed, regardless their age.
Mihajlovic is right when he says he doesn’t care about his lads’ date of birth and that he can only divide between good and bad players, that’s why seeing Locatelli starting against Juve instead of Montolivo would have been a sign of bravery and audacity.
AC Milan and Italian football will not improve their quality if they’ll carry on preferring more experienced players over youngsters, basing their decision on age rather than on their pure talent.
Lorenzo Bettoni @lorebetto, adapted from an article by Andrea Distaso @AndreaDista83
